Chapter 150
Chapter 150
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 150
Chapter Title: Irritating Attention
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The principal didn't ask what was wrong.
She just stared at me for a moment before going still for a second. Then she silently created a portal.
Whirrr.
Man, she's so straightforward.
Is this the charm of an adult woman...?
She beckoned me to follow, and as we stepped into the blazing green portal together, the scenery shifted.
A somewhat alien space.
It was dark, first of all.
The only illumination came from torches on the walls—a dingy, gloomy place.
This was weird for an academy.
Wait, was this even Pryunar Academy?
"It's somewhere on the Floating Island."
"I see."
"It's rarely used, but in this brutal world, it's essential."
"What the hell is this place?"
"...A prison."
"......"
A prison.
Looking around anew, I spotted cells with thick iron bars scattered here and there.
But seeing the principal hesitate for a moment, I figured "prison" was a softened term.
What the hell had they done here?
At least, I could say with certainty it wasn't humane.
"It's underground, right?"
"Yes. It's laced with all sorts of magic, so the humidity and such aren't much different from the surface, but you noticed anyway."
"Yeah. Sort of."
My senses had been sharpening ever since the fight with Almiras.
"Alfred's using it right now."
"Alfred is?"
I suddenly recalled Alfred from the last Floating Island incident.
A guy obsessed enough with outworlder intel to deliberately lure in and capture Murders—it wouldn't be strange if he was managing the Veil.
But.
"Didn't Alfred get grounded?"
"...Hm."
The principal let out a troubled groan.
"Don't tell me he didn't get any real punishment?"
"He did. House arrest. That's why he's stuck here."
"Sounds more like a reward to him."
Considering Alfred's goals, it was practically helping him out.
"I know what you're getting at. But try to understand. Alfred's original plan was flawless. No victims expected. That's why I approved it."
"......"
"Almiras threw a wrench in it, though."
As my gaze persisted, the principal sighed.
"Yeah. I'm sorry. I admit it. My mistake. Holding Dre to a strict standard while letting this slide—yeah, I get it."
"......"
"But we're desperate. I don't know Alfred's endgame, but for me, at least, prying info from the Veil gives me hope it'll help my goals."
"So?"
I didn't bother asking what her goals were.
I didn't care.
I just wondered if they felt any guilt.
The hemming principal finally spoke, as if making excuses.
"We've already apologized and compensated the victims, so naturally, we should compensate Instructor Dre too. I'll grant you one request—anything I can manage."
"I didn't say it for compensation. Do you actually feel sorry for the victims?"
"I do. But yeah, you're right. My goals come first over any guilt."
"Got it."
The principal eyed me anxiously.
Eh, I wasn't all that disappointed.
If she didn't want me grilling her like this, she wouldn't have shown me this place to begin with. She had to have guessed my reaction and still brought me without hesitation.
At least it meant she had a conscience.
I hoped Alfred did too.
...Not that I was one to talk about consciences.
"Shall we go?"
"Thanks, Instructor Dre."
"Oh, right—you're granting me one wish, anything, yeah?"
"Uh? Y-Yeah."
Her voice sounded a bit uneasy, but affirmative.
Good, good.
Principal Renea was incredibly skilled in magic.
I could ask to learn magic or other knowledge, or for help on dangerous quests...
"...Ah!"
But for some reason, her face flushed red as she glared at me.
Her tiny hands even fumbled to cover her body.
...No way. Did she think I was gonna demand her body?
As if!
My type was busty, big-assed mature women.
Of course, I wouldn't deny the principal's petite frame had a subtle sexiness to it.
It looked childish at a glance, but more like a shrunken adult body. Honestly, it felt mostly mature woman.
...Whoa. I was almost swayed there.
Hold it together. Otherwise, I'd come off as a pedo.
"I-It'll only be within what I can grant, okay?!"
"Of course."
"Wh-What is it? My body's my real form, so anything too big would be..."
"......."
Oof.
Was that what I thought...? Or was I overthinking?
The dirty thoughts made my nose feel like it might bleed.
I cleared my throat and said,
"Don't worry. It'll be a normal request."
"R-Really?"
Relief—or maybe disappointment?—crossed her face.
Couldn't be disappointment, so it was my imagination, right?
[Kuhuhuhu...] Don't laugh so ominously, you.
We walked down the straight corridor, chatting for a while.
"Why's Alfred so obsessed with outworlder intel?"
"Who knows. He never tells anyone his goals. But with him, you figure it's something grand."
"World domination or something?"
"Impossible when there are over ten powerhouses like me in the world. At least until he hits old age."
"..."
That many people as strong as her in this world?
Damn.
"Besides you, who else?"
"Like Apis Leisia, for example."
"Ah."
Her. I knew she was strong, but comparable to this woman?
"She's really unlucky in all sorts of ways. Normally, she'd be a kingdom's guardian deity by now. His Majesty this time around..."
"His Majesty?"
"Yeah. It's no exaggeration to say His Majesty's the reason Apis Leisia got demoted."
"......"
I was heading to the palace after this to see His Majesty...?
This was making me nervous as hell.
Reading my unease, the principal chuckled.
"Don't worry. Queen Eniris is wise and holds real power, so she'll block any nonsense beforehand. And His Majesty loves fun, but he won't act rashly just for laughs."
"Okay."
"Got sidetracked. Alfred's ruthless, but not outright evil."
I thought of Alfred.
Yeah, ruthless vibe, but not evil.
"You sensed that too, right, Instructor Dre? If he were a true villain who ignored all means and methods, I never would've let him into the academy."
"......"
"Plus, I get the feeling of struggling toward an unattainable goal. Whether it's me, him, or even you."
An unattainable goal.
Elryunar folk don't know if gods exist or that outworlders come from other dimensions.
Outworlders have restrictions too, so they can't clearly explain their origins.
I didn't know how long this world had lasted, but with a planet the size of Jupiter holding dozens—no, hundreds of billions—no one knowing the truth showed how brutal the constraints were.
Alfred's wish probably wouldn't come true.
It almost made me pity him... but I still vividly remembered.
The students and people tormented by the Murders.
Clarier's swollen face.
[Kuhuhu. Here comes the apostle of justice.] Screw off.
A bit embarrassed by Mangsin's words, I blurted something pointless.
"This corridor's pretty spacious."
For a corridor, it was awfully wide on both sides.
I figured with this width, the end was near—but it kept going deep.
"Yeah. Back in the day, it could hold thousands."
"Thousands?"
"And it wasn't just for people."
"Then..."
"Originally some secret lab. Know about chimeras?"
"Vaguely."
"Eh, the experiment details are too nasty to talk about."
I didn't really want to hear them either.
"This is the deep layer prison. I can warp anywhere from the upper levels with my magic, but the deep layer has anti-warp runes, so we can't set coordinates except at that entrance we came through."
"I see."
That explained why we weren't warping straight to Alfred.
Silence stretched on for a bit.
Long-time loner that I was, this didn't bother me.
I felt an odd familiarity with the principal.
Was this from licking her armpit?
Armpits really were the sexiest, most bonding spot. Armpits forever!
[Pretty much.] This bastard...
Finally a solid agree after ages.
I was trading mental jabs with Mangsin when the principal asked in a heavy voice.
"Hey, Instructor Dre."
"Yes?"
"Why haven't you asked about me?"
She didn't say what I hadn't asked.
Why a human was the Floating Island's core, or what that rosario was that could neutralize someone as powerful as Principal Renea.
In other words, why wasn't I asking her identity—or if she even was human.
"Would you answer if I did?"
"...If it's that wish I mentioned earlier, yeah."
"Nah. Forget it."
That sounded too curt, so I pondered what to add—then recalled what Onist said.
"Tell me once we get closer."
Renea blinked wide-eyed, then smiled softly.
"Getting close to me won't be easy, you know?"
"Ah. Then never mind."
The sulky principal poked my side with her staff. It actually hurt a bit.
"We're here."
Ahead was the only room with a door—and light leaking through the cracks.
...Blood smell.
"...Hm. Let me check if it's safe first, Instructor Dre."
"No. It's fine."
I'd half-expected this.
Just locking prisoners in a dark, hidden spot like this? Nah.
Torture, probably.
The mix of blood and shit piss stench? I was kinda used to it.
[Kinda?] Kuhuhuhu. Mangsin's laugh was annoying, so I tuned it out.
Battery was full anyway—what would shut him up today?
I opened the door.
Creeeak.
The hinges seemed newly fitted; the worn door swung smoothly. Beyond it...
"...Urgh...ugh..."
"You're here."
A neatly dressed man in a fantasy suit, hair slicked back with pomade: Alfred.
And the Murders' leader, Veil, tied to a chair with blood pouring from his head.
"Y-You...!"
Veil recognized me and ground his teeth.
I'd gouged his eyes last time, but they looked fine now. Regenerated, huh.
Outworlders really weren't normal humans.
But why the death glare?
Should I pop 'em again?
I turned to Alfred.
"Surprisingly, you haven't educated him properly."
"Nah, I've been pretty harsh, but the outworlder's mental skills are tough."
"Mental skills?"
"Mental defense skills. Most outworlders are immune to a certain level of brutality."
"Ah."
My stats had mental fortitude and such—no surprise there.
But wouldn't that make getting info hard?
"Luckily, this guy's natural temperament seems soft. A bit more, and I can break his mental skills. Then we'll get answers."
"I see."
"H-Hey!"
Veil yelled, but neither Alfred nor I reacted, just staring each other down.
We had business.
"Last time was my fault. Sorry."
"You owe apologies to others besides me."
"Of course I did. But you should reflect on your actions too."
Fair play.
As he said, I'd dragged out a situation I could've ended early for my one-on-one with Almiras.
Civilians were evacuated and safe first, but not knowing what followed, he wasn't wrong.
Fine. I was hypocritical plenty, but I'd yield now.
"Got it."
"Thanks."
I glanced at the principal.
Would she complain that she promised me favors despite me doing nothing wrong, but Alfred gets a pass? Nah, she seemed fine with the convo. Real class act.
"Found anything out?"
"No. Stubborn bastard."
"Even without mental skills, he's too tight-lipped. Doesn't seem the loyal or pious type... but he's got some weird stubbornness."
Alfred leaned in close; Veil groaned and turned away slightly.
"Got a reason?"
"For what?"
"Why you won't spill your secrets."
"What secrets? I told you everything! ...Hey! Yer-Dre!"
"What."
"Get me outta here. I'll give you all my top-secret info!!"
"Hm."
Top-secret info, huh, you weeb.
"Or what, you came to ask something? Yeah? I can tell you that."
Look at him scrambling.
Alfred must scare him bad.
Or he was just a coward.
I approached, squatting under his chair.
Our eyes met; for a split second—imagination?—fear flickered in Veil's eyes.
I grabbed his hair without missing a beat.
"Right now."
"?...Urk!"
Veil flinched as I gripped his hair, and enunciated clearly.
"Are you in a position to negotiate?"
"......"
Veil shut up.
"Do the Blija folk know about this place?"
The cute principal, who flinched a bit at my shift, answered.
"They don't, but we plan to hand him over after interrogation here. Can't let the heir candidate get beaten that bad without response. It's decided in the Ten Great Families' council."
A glint of hope on Veil's face.
"Between them and Alfred, who's worse?"
"Rude, Instructor Dre. I'm treating him quite gentlemanly, all things considered."
"That's right, Veil."
"......"
Even if freed here, the Blija family's vicious revenge awaited.
"Alfred."
"Hm."
"How far do you follow the principal's orders?"
"...Principal Renea is a great woman. I'll respect her as much as possible."
"If she said to release him?"
"......"
Alfred stared silently, then chuckled.
"Of course I'd obey."
"Instructor Dre, you don't mean..."
I shushed the principal with a finger to my lips.
"The principal promised to grant me one thing for my role in this. So if I say so, she might release you."
Hope filled Veil's eyes.
Mixed with doubt if I meant it.
"Principal. Is that a feasible wish?"
She frowned, then sighed.
"Making enemies of the Blija family is a hassle, but doable."
"You can say I asked you to release him. The guy who saved their daughter—they can't officially complain much."
The principal fell silent.
"Hear that, Veil?"
"Y-Yeah..."
He knew now I was his lifeline.
"If your info and attitude please me, you're out. Otherwise, rot here forever. Your choice."
"Got it."
"......"
Smack!
I backhanded his face.
Veil's nose crumpled, blood spurting as he wailed in pain.
"Gahack!"
I calmly addressed the writhing trash.
"Looks like your eyes grew back fine, huh?"
"U-Ugh..."
"Want me to yank 'em again? Or shape up first?"
"N-No. No need..."
He shook like a leaf.
...Mental defense skill, my ass.
Looked plain scared.
[Your uniqueness.] ? What?
"Good. Veil. My question: First one. If you ignore the World Tree constraints and tell Elryunar folk our info, what happens?"
The principal and Alfred tensed, listening closely.
"...Wh-Why ask that? You know."
"......"
I felt Alfred's gaze pierce me.
He'd guessed I was different from other outworlders, but hearing it from me was new.
"Just answer."
"Th-There'd be... penalties, obviously..."
"Penalties?"
"Why are you doing this?! You wanted to ask me stuff, right?! No reason for this!!"
"...?"
Why the freakout?
Acting like something scared him.
...Were the constraints enforcing direct penalties?
"I told that damn instructor everything! Not sure, but maybe 'headquarters' was involved this time—I spilled it all! If you want more, guarantee my survival first—"
I blinked.
"......"
I ignored his begging.
One word stuck out.
Headquarters?
As I stared silently, he shut up again, gauging me fearfully.
"...Veil."
"Y-Yes, yes!"
He answered my quiet call like a scared pup.
To him, I named Shinjinpae and one more.
"These two names. Know 'em?"
Veil jumped to reply.
"Yeah!! Never met 'em personally! But it's true they were involved in the raid! No acquaintance, no... b-but they backed the moves secretly—"
"That's enough."
"Huh?"
"If you're connected to them, you're useless."
I said it in a voice so cold even I was surprised, then stood.
As I turned without hesitation, the hesitant Veil shrieked.
"W-Wait! Where you going! Hey! Hey! I've got Poise behind me! Ranking 3rd, Poison Forest's Poise! If you treat me like this...! Gaaaaah!"
Alfred did something.
He spoke to me instead of looking at Veil.
"Instructor Dre."
"Yes."
"After the palace, can we have some private time?"
"......"
I got his desire.
He wanted to pry info from me, the unusual outworlder.
"Promise it won't take long."
"Fine."
"Good. Next time you come, he'll be nicely broken in. Come back then."
"Yes."
I'd lost interest in Veil, but watching trash suffer and submit was fun enough.
The principal and I stepped out the iron door.
"W-Wai...gaaaaaah!!"
Didn't know what, but it hurt bad.
I approached the principal, who sighed deeply and took my hand.
Like before, teleport.
Next thing, not her office—the Floating Island warp gate.
Whoa. Convenient.
"No clue what those names meant, but you'll tell me once we're closer, right?"
"Ah, yeah."
She threw my words back with a charming smile. Cute.
"Hope so. Take care, Instructor Dre."
She vanished before I could grab her.
Good.
Time to hit the palace?
.....
......?
I turned.
What was that? Far off, something watching me.
...Not imagination, but no hostility. Fine then.
If they had business, they'd come.
Veil—check back after his "education."
Lots to ask.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Flutter flutter.
Far from the Floating Island, a bird-sized bug flew about.
[Senses me from this distance.] The bug muttered in disbelief, then sought confirmation.
[Heading to the palace. What now, Poise?] [Leave him be for now. More dangerous than expected. I'll handle contact personally.] The superior's reply got an "understood" from the bug.
Then the unnatural flyer in the sky vanished clean.
